SIT Arrests Another Former Employee in Badrinath Temple Donation Scam

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged financial irregularities in the handling of thali bhent (plate offerings) and other donated items at the Uttarakhand-based Badrinath temple arrested a second accused on Friday, with investigators citing CCTV footage and other evidence linking him to the case.

According to the Chamoli Police, Rajendra Chauhan, a former employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), who was then supervising the thali bhent counting process, was arrested from Jyotirmath.

The primary FIR was registered based on a complaint by the BKTC president alleging financial irregularities in the counting and handling of cash and other offerings made by devotees at the shrine. Police said an FIR had earlier been registered under Sections 306 and 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). A named accused, Pramod Nautiyal, who was also an employee of BKTC, was arrested on July 12 and is currently in judicial custody.

SHO Badrinath police station, Mahadev Uniyal, said that the SIT has conducted a detailed examination of CCTV footage from the donation counting room covering multiple dates and has also recorded statements of witnesses. During the investigation, Mr. Chauhan was found acting in concert with Mr. Nautiyal and was involved in the misappropriation of a portion of cash and donated items received during the counting process.

“The CCTV footage from June 22, 25 and 29 shows Mr. Chauhan placing bundles of ₹500 currency notes, donated items and jewellery into his pockets on several occasions. Based on the electronic and other evidence collected during the investigation, SIT has added Section 61(2)(a) of the BNS, relating to criminal conspiracy, to the case and named Mr. Chauhan as a co-accused,” he added.

As the matter drew criticism, the State Government set up a separate three-member committee to investigate the issue last week. The panel is headed by the Garhwal Divisional Commissioner.